crusader

F-8E, BuNo 150927. Assigned VF-62 as modex AK-205 (photo). To VF-194 as modex NM-401 1966-1967. To VF-211. Upgraded to F-8J. To VF-194 as modex NM-404. To VF-211 as modex NP-100 1969-1970. To VF-124 1972. Crashed 15 July 1972 into the sea 8 mi E San Clemente Island, CA off USS America (CVA-66) due to engine failure. The pilot ejected safely.

Poor resolution copy of an image of Vought RF-8G Crusader from Reserve VFP-306 Modex 604 With ancient Greek style tail code ND of Carrier Air Reserve Wing Thirty (CVWR-30) Navy serial number outlined in white on black painted tail may be interpreted as 146865. VFP-306 RF-8G 146865. The RF-8G was the longest-serving US Crusader, long after the fighter versions had been withdrawn. The last active duty Navy unit to fly the RF-8G was VFP-63 in June 1982. The RF-8G flew even longer with the Naval Air Reserve. Naval Air Reserve units operating the RF-8G were VFP-206 and VFP-306, both based at NAF Washington DC, stationed at Andrews AFB. VFP-306 disestablished in September 1984. VFP-206 gave up its RF-8Gs on March 29, 1987, becoming the last Navy unit to fly the Crusader. 1975 picture of RF-8G 146865: www.aeroslides.com/auction/pictures/AU-53.jpg RF-8G 146865 VFP-63 DET 3 601 AC NAS MIRAMAR May 1975 A better quality picture of RF-8G with VFP-308 as Modex 605 may be viewed here: s362974870.onlinehome.us/forums/air/index.php?showtopic=1... img.photobucket.com/albums/v20/jinxx1/F-8%20Crusader/RF-8... RF-8G 146865 was retired to the then MASDC near Tucson Arizona on 22 February 1982 with inventory code .AN2F0421 and location; Area 18, Row 6, Position 5. Pictures of RF-8G 146865 in desert storage after retirement:: www.airliners.net/photo/0879651/ www.airfighters.com/photo/5329/M/USA-Navy/Vought-RF-8G-Cr... www.airliners.net/photo/USA---Navy/Vought-RF-8G-Crusader/...

Interesting to see a sole Vought F8U (F8U-1?) Crusader aboard USS Kearsarge (CV-33) during this time period (1957-58).

Apparently, James Smith had questions about this Crusader, as well, and this slide is the one he appears to be referring to below. See: www.f8crusader.org/gatrfixr.htm

"JAMES E. SMITH" [email address omitted] Just read the home page on VF 53. I wish to inform you that VF 53 was my squadron on the USS Kearsarge and I was a plane captain with them and we had the FJ3s CDR James Pariseau was the CO and LTCDR Fields was the XO . We were stationed at Moffett Field in 56 and returned to Moffett after the cruise and we then were disbanded and we became a training command squadron with the F8Us. We deployed on the Kear in 57 with CAG three and the Banshee squadron was VF 124 not the VF 53. I have the book to prove it and I can scan some pix from the book if you need them. Also there at that time was VA 24 Cougars and a VFAW3 squadron and a squadron of ADs. This may shock some folks but when we returned from WESPAC in 57 on the USS Kearsarge CVA 33 we did not do much flying and it was an "along for the ride" trip. On that trip back home stuck away in hangar bay #2 was a F8! It was sealed up form the salt corrosion and it never moved from the day it was lifted onboard in Yokosuka. I think that I have a colored slide of it. I'll have to look. I often wondered about that AC and what it was doing there but nobody seemed to know? I was a plane captain with VF 53 at the time and we had left ALL of our FJ3-4s back at Atsugi so it was a leisurely ride back across the big blue pond. Does anyone know anything of this AC. Again, I'll have to look in my slide collection of that era. Jim [email address omitted]